Brown and White earn split on final day in Florida :: Bricker tallied five RBI, two home runs and a win on Saturday

March 2, 2008

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Senior Brianna Bricker's all-around performance on the diamond helped the St. Bonaventure softball team to a 1-1 mark on their final day at the Florida Gulf Coast Spring Break Invitational #2 on Saturday.

Bricker accounted for five RBI on the afternoon thanks to a pair of home runs and picked up the win on the mound in the Bonnies' 8-0 victory over Mercer in game one before falling 6-3 in the club's second game to Florida Gulf Coast.

The Brown and White improved to 5-9 following Saturday's split with three victories in their final four contests down in Florida.

Following a scoreless three innings of play with just one real scoring chance in the third, Bricker broke the tie with a lead off home run to left center during the fourth frame to put her club in front 1-0.

The Albion, Pa. product sparked a seven run fifth inning to put the game out of reach with a three RBI dinger to left field, brining in freshman Shelly Seeger and junior Amanda Kotz. The Brown and White offensive explosion continued as freshmen classmates Maureen Wells and Samantha Rajski each tallied RBI singles before another RBI single from junior Amanda Kotz to put the Bonnies in front 7-0. Rajski tacked on additional run close the scoring at 8-0.

Bricker tossed five scoreless frames while allowing only three hits on the afternoon for her first win of the season and first shutout.

The Brown and White continued their offensive momentum in game two with all three of their runs in the first two innings to take an early 3-0 advantage. Senior Andrea Swanger started the inning with a lead-off walk and quickly advanced to second on a steal followed by another base on balls to junior Kathryn Pazda. Swanger crossed the plate after a pair of wild pitches before Bricker brought in Pazda with a sacrifice fly to left field.

Senior Patricia McKeon added a RBI single in the next inning to send sophomore Stephanie Narde to the plate for the club's final run of the day.

Florida Gulf Coast tallied all six of their runs in the next four frames to turn around an early three-run deficit into a 6-3 triumph. The Eagles sprayed eight of their nine hits down the stretch.

Despite fanning seven batters on the day, sophomore Sherri Thompson picked up the loss as she allowed nine hits and six earned runs.

St. Bonaventure is idle for the next 19 days before returning to action on March 20 at Saint Joseph's. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Philadelphia.